Saturday, July 14, 2018

Saying Goodbye to Characters by Merrillee Whren

On July 25, the fifth book in my Front Porch Promises series, A BABY TO CALL OURS, will release. It is available for pre-order now at a discounted price. The price goes up on release day, so reserve your copy now. Here are the buy links. Amazon. Barnes & Noble.


For months I have lived with Jimmy and Kelsey. I've been in their heads and inside their skin in order to write their story. Sometimes they make me laugh and other times they make me cry. I hope my readers will have the same reaction. When a book is finished, it's time to move on to a new set of characters, but I often find it hard to let go of these imaginary people I've had in my mind for so long.

All of my Front Porch Promises books have front porches on the covers. No people. I know readers love to see what the characters look like, but many times I can't find photos that represent the people in my head. These two photos come close to capturing Jimmy and Kelsey.




Jimmy and Kelsey's story came alive to me just as I was finishing the previous book in the series, A SONG TO CALL OURS. In that book, Jimmy and Kelsey are secondary characters. I knew they were going to be the hero and heroine of the next book, but I had no idea how they would fall in love. The marriage of convenience storyline trickled into my mind and wouldn't let go, even though I wasn't sure that's what I wanted to write. But the idea camped out in my thoughts and wouldn't go away. We were traveling in Australia and New Zealand at the time, and while I looked at spectacular scenery, their story slowly came to life.

So in saying goodbye to Jimmy and Kelsey, I'm saying hello to my next hero and heroine, Jeremy and Whitney, again secondary characters, who get their own story. Right now I'm trying to figure out how to redeem Whitney, who isn't a very likable character in A BABY TO CALL OURS. I'm sure she'll find her redemption just as Jimmy and Kelsey did.

Do you like characters who are deeply flawed? Why or why not?


Merrillee Whren is the winner of the 2003 Golden Heart Award presented by Romance Writers of American. She is married to her own personal hero, her husband of  thirty-five plus years, and has two grown daughters. Connect with her on her Facebook page and sign up for her newsletter.


12 comments:

  1. Great post, Merrillee. Yes, I enjoy reading about flawed characters.

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  2. I can relate. It's so hard to let go of characters. Flawed characters are the ones that speak to me the most. I guess its easy to relate to them. Thanks for sharing, Merrillee.

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  3. Merrillee, thank you for sharing some behind-the-scenes info about the writing of your sweet series!

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    1. Thanks, Magdalena. It's always fun to share. :)

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  4. It's hard when you become involved in your character's life. They have to come to life for you so you can portray them better.

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    1. Margaret, so true. They become like real people.

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  5. I think I am the first non-author to comment, so I am representing the reader's point of view. Flawed characters are easier for many to identify with as none of us is perfect. So often the "perfect' character becomes one I do not care for as well - that perfection can make them come across as bland and less interesting.

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    1. Thanks for sharing, Mary. I love flawed characters, and that's why I write about them.

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  6. I love flawed characters because we are all flawed! If a character is "like us" then we can relate! We are all human and we love to read characters that are realistic. We many not be in the same situations but we love to see characters overcome obstacles and triumph!

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